There is hardly a driver who has not damaged a rim on a curb at least once, but that frustration may be coming to an end. American company Unplugged Performance has introduced a rim that it claims is indestructible in everyday use, and comes with a lifetime warranty. They have called it the ‘Road Warrior’, which speaks volumes about its ambitions.
Made to last
The secret to durability lies in the material – the rim is made of special forged aluminum, an alloy that is also used in the aviation industry. Therefore, it should be extremely resistant to impacts. It was developed for drivers who no longer want to worry about every time they park, but also for fleet owners for whom damage to their vehicles represents a significant expense.
The interchangeable ring as a key innovation
The main feature of the ‘Road Warrior’ rim is the replaceable protective ring located on its outer edge. This ring functions as a kind of bumper that absorbs scratches and impacts when contacting the curb. Best of all, the element can be replaced without removing the tire, and the price of two replacement rings is an affordable 69 euros.
Lifetime warranty and top performance
If more serious damage does occur, Unplugged Performance offers a lifetime warranty. They promise free replacement in the event of cracks or deformations occurring under ‘normal conditions’, although they didn’t elaborate on exactly what that means. Despite its robustness, the company claims that the ‘Road Warrior’ is lighter than many stock cast wheels.
The aerodynamic design of this rim helps reduce air resistance, keeping the range of the electric car almost on par with Tesla’s factory Photon-Aero wheels.
Price and availability
The wheel is currently available exclusively for the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, in standard sizes of 19 and 20 inches, which means that there is no need to buy new tires. The price for a set of 19-inch wheels is around 2,250 euros, while the 20-inch version costs around 2,600 euros.
While the idea of an indestructible rim is great, it remains to be seen whether it will truly live up to its grand promises in everyday road conditions.
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